2026 Irvin Katz Memorial Award

Irvin W. Katz, one of the founding members of IECA, lived his life in service to others as a mentor for many consultants and as a steward of community volunteerism. In 2006, his family established The Irvin Katz Memorial Award to honor those members of IECA who make extraordinary voluntary contributions of their time and talents to community organizations that benefit the educational needs, health and well-being of all our children.

The Irvin Katz Memorial Award is presented each year at the Annual IECA Conference. The recipient is awarded $2,000 to be donated to the identified organization for which the recipient has volunteered. The organization must have official 501(c)(3) status.

The deadline for nominations is Wednesday, April 1, 2026. We also welcome self-nominations for consideration of the award. You will find the qualifying nomination form below. For additional information about The Irvin Katz Memorial Award, please visit our website. 

If you have any questions, please email Rocio Gosende, Program Director ([email protected]).

• Professional Member or Associate Member with at least 5 years of membership to IECA—regardless of Professional or Associate designation.

• Nominations are for individuals, not companies. Note: an exception could be made if a company and all of its consultant employees/partners have contributed significantly to the development or expansion of a specific project.

• Demonstrated significant community service with a nonprofit organization that aligns with the IECA Foundation's mission- to help underserved youth and young adults map pathways to success.

• A recipient of the Katz Award cannot be nominated again for a period of 5 years.

• If nominated for the award, but not a recipient, a person can be nominated again the following year.

• Personal volunteer work to a nominee’s child’s school, to their church or synagogue, should not be considered unless it is a special project that benefits the community as a whole.